5 Surprising Facts About Rheumatoid Arthritis

Think you know everything there is to know about rheumatoid arthritis? These five facts might surprise you.

Smoking can trigger rheumatoid arthritis. Smokers have higher rates of rheumatoid arthritis compared to nonsmokers. No one knows exactly how smoking increases the risk of rheumatoid arthritis. Certain genes may interact with environmental factors – like cigarette smoke – to trigger the condition in susceptible individuals. In one study, 35% of severe cases of rheumatoid arthritis were attributed to smoking. And in those who carried high-risk genes for the condition, smoking accounted for 55% of severe cases. Learn more about the link between smoking and rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis causes more than pain; it can lead to disability and even death. Severe rheumatoid arthritis can affect the eyes, heart, blood vessels, skin, lungs, and other organs. Severe rheumatoid arthritis can also lead to joint destruction and disability. Mortality is twice as high in people who have rheumatoid arthritis compared to those who don't have the condition. See the difference between normal joints and arthritic joints in this slideshow.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an active area of medical research. Ongoing studies promise to make the future even brighter for rheumatoid arthritis patients. Gene studies will help determine which patients will respond best to certain treatments. And new medications will target rheumatoid arthritis in novel ways. Read more about rheumatoid arthritis research.

Källberg, Henrik, et al., "Smoking is a major preventable risk factor for rheumatoid arthritis: estimations of risks after various exposures to cigarette smoke." Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 70.3 (2010): 508-511.